JPH01189380A - Device for screening vegetables and fruits - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To screen many kinds of items by housing vegetables and fruits into receiving trays provided with class display means, displaying the classes of the vegetables and fruits and screening and sorting the vegetables and fruits on the receiving trays in the course of carrying the receiving trays of the respective class displays by carrying means. CONSTITUTION:The receiving trays 1 provided with the class display means are carried and the vegetables and fruits are placed on the trays 1 in the carrying means 2, 4. The classes of the respective receiving trays classified and displayed on the above- mentioned class displaying means are detected in a class detecting means 5. Further, the sizes of the vegetables and fruits are measured in measuring means 6 provided to the prescribed position of the carrying means. The class signals of the vegetables and fruits on the receiving trays are inputted and the classes of the vegetables and fruits on the receiving trays are decided from the measurement signals measured by the means 6 to classify the vegetables and fruits, then the signals are processed together with said class signals and the sorting signals by classes and grades are outputted in an arithmetic processing means 7. A sorting and discharging means 8 is operated by the sorting and discharging signals sent from the means 7 to sort and discharge the carried receiving trays by classes and grades.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a sorting device suitable for fruits and vegetables, particularly perishable fruits and vegetables that cannot be sorted and discharged by rolling. To provide a sorting device that can sort fruits and vegetables into multiple grades on a single sorting line without causing collisions between fruits and vegetables, pack them into boxes, and send them out.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, devices for sorting and sorting fruits and vegetables, such as fruits and vegetables, use a conveyor with a number of trays attached at equal intervals to a compare chain that runs and rotates endlessly, and feeds and conveys fruits and vegetables to the trays. The tray is tilted at a predetermined discharge position for each class by a means for measuring the weight or size of fruits and vegetables while sorting the fruits and vegetables, and a sorting and discharging means for sorting the fruits and vegetables into predetermined classes and outputting a signal for sorting. Alternatively, a method is commonly used in which fruits and vegetables are discharged and sorted by rotation, etc., and the fruits and vegetables to be sorted are unaffected by rolling, and are less likely to be damaged by collisions between fruits and vegetables. Suitable for various types of cases.

In addition, as a device for sorting and sorting fruits and vegetables without rolling them, the fruits and vegetables are placed in a tray, and while the fruits and vegetables are transported along the conveyor along with the tray, the weight, shape, etc. There is a sorting device in which fruits and vegetables are sorted by size and separated into trays from a conveyor, and the fruits and vegetables on the trays are taken out by an operator. (Tokuko Showa 59-
(Refer to Publication No. 5029) In all of these conventional sorting devices, fruits and vegetables brought in from each producer are sorted by a fruit sorter according to their external appearance G (
(color, scratches, shape, etc.) compared to standards of quality, such as
After grading according to quality such as excellent and good, the material is fed to a plurality of sorting conveyance paths corresponding to each grade, and is classified into predetermined classes (2L, L) by a measuring device that measures weight, shape, etc. , M, S, 2S, etc.).

That is, all of the above-mentioned conventional sorting apparatuses are designed to feed and sort fruits and vegetables of the first grade to a -line sorting conveyance path.

In addition, another different sorting method is one in which two grades of sorting are possible using a single sorting conveyance path 401. (Refer to Fig. 15) In this method, an equal edge detection device 501 such as a photoelectric switch is provided in the middle of the sorting and transportation path 401, and at a predetermined position downstream from the grade detection device 501, there is a A measuring device 601 for measuring the height is provided. Then, in the supply unit 21, the fruit sorter supplies fruits and vegetables determined to be for sale to the upstream side of the equal edge detection device 501, while fruits and vegetables determined to be excellent products are supplied downstream of the equal edge detection device 501. Fruits and vegetables that are detected after passing through the grading device 501 are determined to be for sale, while fruits and vegetables that are not detected are determined to be excellent products. This judgment signal is shifted in synchronization with the corresponding tray, and together with the results measured by the measuring device 601, the fruits and vegetables on each tray are classified into one grade, and each predetermined sort is discharged from the discharge section 801. ing.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, since the grade of fruits and vegetables has different binding rates depending on the type, production area, and harvest time, according to the above-mentioned conventional method of feeding and sorting fruits and vegetables of one grade in one row, fruits and vegetables are fed to the trays of each transfer path. If the amount of fruits and vegetables is not uniform and the tray of the sorting conveyance path is fully supplied with fruits and vegetables of the grade with the highest uniform binding rate, only that row will have a high operating rate.
Since a small amount is supplied to the sorting conveyance paths of other strips, the strip as a whole has the disadvantage that the capacity of the equipment cannot be fully utilized.

In addition, depending on the type of fruits and vegetables, the fruits and vegetables that have been graded by a grader and supplied to the trays on the sorting conveyance path are reloaded for final grade correction (for oversights, special inspections, etc.). In such cases, the fruits and vegetables to be sorted are
For example, in the case of fruits and vegetables that break easily and are easily damaged, such as watermelons and melons, there is a problem that they may be broken or damaged by impact during grade correction (row change).

Furthermore, it is not easy to lift heavy and large fruits and vegetables such as watermelons and melons from the tray and transfer them to trays on different sorting conveyance paths, and it is desired to reduce the labor.

In addition, in recent years, in order to respond to the diversifying demands of markets and consumers, the quality classification of fruits and vegetables has been subdivided, and the number of sorting conveyance paths for each grade has increased, resulting in an overall increase in the installation area of sorting conveyors. , improvements are desired as it requires large space and high equipment costs.

On the other hand, the conventional one-row, two-grade sorting method (15th
According to the figure), the fruit and vegetable supply units 21 are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side with the equal plate detection device 501 sandwiched between them.
There is a disadvantage that the supply section 21 is required to be long, which increases the length of the machine as a whole, and there is also a disadvantage that a large amount of manpower is required for supplying.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a grade display means in a part of a tray, store fruits and vegetables in the tray, display the grade of the fruits and vegetables, and sort them according to predetermined size while the tray is being conveyed on a sorting conveyor. To provide a sorting device capable of sorting fruits and vegetables, branching out the trays from the conveyor, lining up and waiting in a predetermined boxing pattern, and automatically picking up fruits and vegetables and packing them in boxes when a predetermined number of fruits and vegetables are collected.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a tray having a platform for placing fruits and vegetables, and a tray provided with a grade display means for displaying the grade of the fruits and vegetables, and a tray that conveys the tray at irregular intervals in the forward and backward direction of travel. a conveying means, a tray feeding and supplying means for feeding the trays at regular intervals, which are conveyed back and forth by the conveying means at irregular intervals, and a tray feeding and feeding means provided downstream of the tray feeding and supplying means, and a conveyor that runs and rotates endlessly. a sorting conveyor for storing trays between the pushing members and conveying the trays at regular intervals; and detecting on the sorting conveyor the grade of each tray displayed on equal lines by the grade display means; an equal edge detection means for outputting the detected grade signal; a measurement means provided at a predetermined position of the sorting conveyor for measuring the size of fruits and vegetables; and a measurement means for inputting the grade signal detected by the grade detection means; an arithmetic processing means that determines and ranks the fruits and vegetables on the saucer from the measurement signal measured by the means, processes them together with the above-mentioned grading signal, and outputs a signal for sorting into two classes on the equal edge; and the above-mentioned arithmetic processing means. The sorting conveyor is actuated by a discharge signal to sort and discharge the trays conveyed by the sorting conveyor into one class on the equal edge side. an aligning and storing means for arranging and storing the trays; a boxing means for picking up the fruits and vegetables on the trays when a predetermined number of the trays stored in the aligning and storing means are arranged and packing them into an empty box for packaging; an empty saucer discharging means for picking up empty saucers and discharging the empty saucers, and pooling some of the empty saucers discharged by each of the empty saucer discharge means, and connecting the empty saucers to the conveying means to transport and supply them. The apparatus is characterized by comprising an empty saucer pool means.

The grade display means provided on the saucer displays isoline by manually or mechanically operating a part of the saucer (top surface, side surface, etc.) to display a displacement or change that can be detected by a sensor, etc., and includes a push button, lever.

It is possible to use a mechanism to displace or change using a display switch such as a toggle type, or to change the color as an object of change to display isolines.

〔Example〕

Below, drawings (Figs. 1 to 1) showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention are shown.
(See FIG. 14).

The outline of the apparatus of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

2 is a supply conveyor as a conveying means, 3 is a regular interval feeding device as a tray feeding means, 4 is a sorting conveyor for conveying at regular intervals, 5 is a An equal edge detection device as an equal edge detection means, 6 a measuring device as a measuring means, 7 an arithmetic processing unit as an arithmetic processing means, 8 a discharge device as a sorting means, and 9 an alignment means as an alignment storage means. storage device,
Reference numeral 10 denotes a boxing device as a boxing means, 11 an empty tray discharging device as an empty tray discharging means, and 12 an empty tray pooling device as an empty tray pooling means.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tray 1 has three support surfaces 101 formed on a mounting portion 102 in order to stably seat fruits and vegetables 100 on the upper surface. The shape of this upper surface is preferably formed into an optimal shape depending on the shape of the fruits and vegetables 100.

Reference numeral 103 denotes isoline display devices as isoline display means, and a necessary number of isoline display devices are installed in a part of the saucer 1 in accordance with the number of grades of fruits and vegetables 100. This isoline display device 103 uses, for example, a toggle-type display switch 104, which is operated manually or mechanically, and displays isolines based on its displacement or change.

Furthermore, the isoline display device 103 displays the 40th. As shown in FIG. 5, an indicator switch 104 such as a lever type or push button
You can also display isolines by operating the lever to change the position of the lever and its appearance or retraction.

Furthermore, the isoline display device 103 may display isolines by changing the color (not shown).

Reference numeral 105 denotes a guide roller, which changes the traveling direction of the tray 1 by contacting an operating lever 81 of the discharge device 8, which will be described later, and is constructed using floating rollers, bearings, or the like.

The supply conveyor 2 has a supply section 21 for supplying at least fruits and vegetables 100, and is formed to have a width suitable for conveying the tray 1. The length of this supply section 21 is determined by the operator
This is a work space for supplying 00 pieces one by one, and is provided with a length calculated from the number of workers required for the sorting processing capacity. The supply conveyor 2 is an accumulation conveyor, such as a roller conveyor having a large number of rollers 22 mounted on the shaft, or a chain conveyor with a top plate (not shown).

Reference numeral 211 denotes a receiving device for conveying the received fruits and vegetables 100 to the supply section 21, and a roller conveyor, a belt conveyor, or the like can be used.

The constant interval feeding device 3 is constructed by combining a tray stop device 31 and a high-speed feed roller 32 at the terminal end 23 of the feeding conveyor 2, as shown in FIG.

The saucer stop device 31 is provided in a retractable manner on the conveyance surface of the saucer l, and is provided between the pusher members 44 of the sorting conveyor 4, which will be described later.
A control circuit (not shown) is configured so as to operate (appear and disappear) at the timing of supplying one by one. This saucer stop device 31 can be constructed in a retractable manner using an air cylinder, a solenoid, or the like.

The high-speed feed roller 32 is configured to rotate two rollers at high speed in the advancing direction to feed the tray at high speed, and to accelerate the advancing tray l by the operation of the tray stop device 31 and send it onto the sorting conveyor 4. In the embodiment, two rollers are used, but there is no particular limitation, and the rollers can be appropriately set depending on the size of the saucer 1, the size (weight) of the fruits and vegetables 100, etc.

Further, this 'regular interval feeding device 3' is for supplying the receiving trays 1 one by one at regular intervals between the pushing members 44 of the sorting conveyor 4, and in addition to this embodiment, it is also possible to supply the receiving trays 1 at regular intervals. If the mechanism or device is capable of this, it is not limited to the device shown in FIG. 8, and other feeding mechanisms can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, guide rollers 105 attached to both lower sides of the tray 1 may be configured to be fed one by one at regular intervals by a feed pawl 33 having a mechanism similar to a caterpillar drive device.

Next, the sorting conveyor 4 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10. Reference numeral 41 denotes a frame, and 42 a slat-shaped receiving plate having a width suitable for conveying the receiving tray 1. The receiving plate 43 and 43, which run and rotate in the advancing direction, are installed to constitute a slat conveyor. Reference numeral 44 denotes a pushing member, which is rotatably supported on the slat-shaped receiving plate 42 using bearings, rollers, or the like. The pushing members 44 are attached at intervals in the advancing direction that do not hinder the conveyance of the receiving tray 1 at a constant distance.

The equal edge detection device 5 is installed at a predetermined position on the sorting conveyor 4, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10.

The isoline detection device 5 is constructed using a sensor such as a photoelectric switch or a proximity switch in order to detect the displacement or change of the display switch 104 whose grade is displayed on the saucer 1. Furthermore, when color is used as a change target in the display switch 104, a color sensor may be used for detection.

When the isoline detection device 5 configured as described above detects isoedges, when the sorting conveyor 4 runs and rotates, the pushing member 4
4 is installed by providing a clock device (not shown) that transmits a signal for each pinch, and adjusting it so that a detection command is transmitted when each display switch 104 and isoline detection device 5 are at the opposing detection position. establish. Numbers 13 for each grade detected by these isoline detection devices 5 are sent to an arithmetic processing device 7, which will be described later.

The measuring device RA6 is installed at a predetermined position from the starting end of the sorting conveyor 4 as shown in FIG.
00 passes, the shape and dimensions of the fruits and vegetables 100 are measured.

If a color sensor camera is used as the sensor camera 61, it is possible to measure not only the shape but also the appearance surface condition such as color and scratches.

The arithmetic processing device 7 has a control circuit (not shown) with a built-in CPU, and compares and determines the measured value with a preset class standard value based on the measured value measured by the measuring device r116, and classifies the measured value. Combined with the equal green signal from the grade detection device 5, the equal edge side.

Sorting by class outputs a signal to a discharge device 8, which will be described later, in synchronization with the tray 1.

The discharging device 8 is provided at a predetermined position ahead of the sorting conveyor 4 for each grade of fruits and vegetables 100, and the discharge device 8 is provided with fruits and vegetables 100 for each grade, and is sent from the arithmetic processing device 7 in synchronization with the progress of the tray 1 (the sorting is activated by a signal). Sorting and discharging the fruits and vegetables 100 in trays 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

81 is an operating lever, and 82 is a support shaft, which is rotatably attached to a part of the frame 41 of the sorting conveyor 4 via a bearing 83. 84 is an air cylinder,
The lever 81 is configured to be operated in conjunction with a part of the operating lever 81. In the drawing, air cylinder 8
4, but other driving sources such as solenoids may also be used.

Further, this operating lever 81 operates the air cylinder 84 so that it stands by at a position where it does not contact the guide roller 105 of the tray 1 when there is no sorting signal from the arithmetic processing unit 7 (when inactive).

The operating lever 81 is configured by adjusting the positional relationship so that it operates immediately in front of the guide roller 105 of the tray I being conveyed.

That is, according to this operating lever 81, the sorting is performed by energizing the magnetic valve 11 (not shown) in response to a signal, operating the air cylinder 84, rotating the lever 81 by a predetermined angle, and moving the guide roller lO5 of the tray 1. and the roller 1.0
5 is branched out from the sorting conveyor 4 along an alignment switching rail 94 to be described later, and the fruits and vegetables 100 can be sorted and discharged together with the tray 1.

The sorting storage device 9 is provided corresponding to each discharge device 8, and the fruits and vegetables 100 that are sorted and discharged by the discharge device 8 are
The trays 1 on which are placed are arranged in a predetermined box arrangement and temporarily stored, as shown in FIG.

This will be explained in detail using the drawing of FIG.

Reference numeral 91 denotes row rows having a width suitable for conveying the receiving trays l, and a large number of them are arranged in the traveling direction between frames 92 and 92 to constitute an accumulation conveyor 93. This accumulation conveyor 93 is for temporarily accumulating the trays l on which fruits and vegetables 100 are placed, and is not limited to what is shown in the figure.
In addition to the embodiments, a conveyor with a different conveyance, such as a chain conveyor capable of accumulation, may be used.

Reference numeral 94 denotes an alignment switching rail, which is guided to align the trays 1 in accordance with a boxing pattern of a boxing device 10, which will be described later. A switching lever 95 is provided by cutting out a part of the alignment switching rail 94, and by switching the switching lever 95, it acts to arrange the trays 1 on the alignment conveyance path as shown by arrows A and C in the figure. As this switching lever 95, a device having the same structure as the ejecting device 8 can be used, and a description thereof will be omitted. 96 is a slide device, which includes a pusher 961 and a cylinder 962.
The switching lever 95 is provided in a retractable manner in combination with the switching lever 95.
By switching, the trays 1 arranged in the alignment conveyance path indicated by 0 arrows are moved laterally from the side and arranged in the alignment conveyance path indicated by 8 arrows.

By combining the switching lever 95 and the slide device 96 as described above, it is possible to form three rows of aligned conveyance paths as indicated by arrows A, B, and C on the accumulation conveyor 93.

That is, the illustrated embodiment shows a boxing pattern in which a set of five boxes is arranged.

In addition, this boxing pattern is, for example, when the boxing arrangement is limited to a boxing pattern in which a set of four pieces is used.
The slide device 96 may be omitted or its operation may be stopped, and various combinations of boxes can be arranged.

In the figure, 97 is the Akinim rate conveyor 9.
This bar is provided at the downstream end of the empty tray 1 and serves to send out empty trays 1 in a row onto an empty tray discharging device 11, which will be described later, and is composed of a combination of cylinders and solenoids.

The boxing device 10 is provided corresponding to each of the alignment and storage devices 9, and when the trays 1 are arranged in a predetermined boxing arrangement by the alignment and storage device 9, the fruits and vegetables 100 on the trays 1 are picked up and boxed. Figure 6.

This will be explained based on the drawings of FIGS. 7 and 13.

Reference numeral 1001 denotes a frame, which is provided above a portion of the alignment and storage device 9 and above the boxing section. Reference numeral 1002 denotes a moving table, and guide rollers 1003 are rotatably provided at both ends of the moving table 1002 in the moving direction, and the frame 100
It is provided so that it can be moved laterally in combination with 1. 10
04 is a cylinder provided approximately at the center of the moving table 1002, and a piston rod 1005 is attached downward. 1006 is a base, and the cylinder 100
It is connected to the tip of the piston rod 1005 of No. 4. 1007 is a slide guide, which connects the base 100 via a slide bearing 1008 provided on the movable table 1002.
It is fixed at 6. A bar 1009 is provided on the base 1006 in correspondence with the box arrangement.

A slider 1010 is slidably fitted to the bar 1009. 1011 is a slide cylinder, one end of which is attached to the base 1006;
The other end is attached to the slider 1010 so that the slider 1010 can be moved laterally. Reference numeral 1012 denotes a vacuum suction pad, which is attached to the slider 1010 with a telescopic rod 1014 via a spring 1013. There are various types of this pad 1012, but
A soft member that does not damage the fruits and vegetables 100 is preferable, and for example, a member such as rubber or sponge material is used. 101
Reference numeral 5 denotes a chino, which is connected to the movable table 1002 via a sprocket 1016 and stretched. Reference numeral 1017 denotes a motor, which rotates a sprocket 1016 to enable horizontal movement of the movable table 1002. In addition, this lateral movement mechanism may also include, for example, a cylinder (not shown).
It is also possible to connect the movable table 1002 and move it laterally.

1051 is an accumulation-type empty box supply conveyor consisting of a roller conveyor, a chain conveyor with a top plate, etc., and 1052 is a retractable stop device that combines an air cylinder, etc., and is activated by an empty box supply signal (not shown). Then, the empty box 1053 is fed onto a product delivery device 1060, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 14, the product delivery device 1060 has chains 1062 stretched across sprockets 1061 on both sides of an empty box 1053, and an attachment 10 on which the box is placed.
63 are attached to left-right symmetrical positions, and are configured to rotate in the direction of the arrow (downward) in response to an operation command to lower the product box 1064. In the figure, 1065 is a stop switch that stops the attachment 1063 at a fixed position.

The product delivery device 1060 is for waiting an empty box 1053 for packaging at a predetermined position and for lowering the packed product box 1064. It can also be configured using a lifting device or the like.

Reference numeral 1070 denotes a product conveyor, which is constructed of an accumulation conveyor such as a roller conveyor or a chain conveyor with a top plate, and is installed to receive the product boxes 1064 lowered by the product delivery device 1060 and send them to the merging conveyor 1080.

1071 is a stop device that combines cylinders, etc., and is installed in a retractable manner. Reference numeral 1072 denotes a printing device, which is configured to perform predetermined printing on the product box 1064 stopped by the stop device 1071.

The empty tray discharge device 11 is provided adjacent to the downstream end of the accumulation conveyor 93 of the alignment storage device 9. ]1
01 is a frame that rotatably supports rollers 1102 on a plurality of axes to constitute a roller conveyor. The length of this roller conveyor is small (length is set so that one tray 1 can be placed on it. 1103 is a support shaft, and a bearing 11 is mounted on a pedestal 1104.
05, and the frame 1101 is configured to be tiltable. 1106 is a cylinder, one of which is connected to the pedestal 1104, and the other side is attached to a part of the frame 1101. That is, the empty tray 1 placed on the roller 1102 can be discharged by operating the cylinder 1106 in response to an empty tray discharge command (not shown) to tilt the roller conveyor downward.

The empty tray pool device 12 temporarily stores the trays 1 discharged by the empty tray discharge device 11, and is constructed using an accumulation conveyor such as a roller conveyor or a chain conveyor. Reference numeral 1201 denotes a stop device, which is provided in a retractable manner by combining an air cylinder and the like, and configured to merge and discharge onto an empty tray merge conveyor 1250, which will be described later. It is preferable that the storage capacity of the empty tray pool device 11F12 is calculated from the number of trays 1 to be used according to the sorting throughput. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement is made so as to effectively use the space provided below the alignment and storage device 9, but it is easy to install it in another different position.

The empty tray merging conveyor 1250 is provided at the outlet of the empty tray pool device 12 in a direction parallel to the sorting conveyor 4, and the empty trays are discharged by sorting into nine classes and empty trays are disposed of.
A roller conveyor, a belt conveyor, etc. can be used. The terminal end of this empty tray merging conveyor 1250 is connected to the starting end of the supply conveyor 2, and an automatic collection circuit for the tray 1 is formed as a whole.

The operation of the fruit and vegetable sorting device configured as above will be explained.

The fruits and vegetables 100 are placed on the tray 102 of the receiving tray 1 that is transported while inspecting the grade inspection items such as the appearance condition by an operator in the supply section 21, and the grade is judged. The grade is displayed by operating the display switch 104. When the trays 1 with the grades indicated are conveyed by the supply conveyor 2, they are delivered onto the sorting conveyor 4 at regular intervals by the constant interval supply device 3 and conveyed.

In addition, if a grade corrector is placed while the grade-displayed saucer 1 is being conveyed by the supply conveyor 2, it will be possible to inspect special parts, check for oversights, etc.
Modification operations such as changing the 04 key are possible.

When the trays l conveyed at regular intervals on the sorting conveyor 4 pass the equal paper detection device 5, the corresponding grade is detected from the display switch 104 displaying the grade, and a grade signal is transmitted to the arithmetic processing device 7.

Next, one dimension of the shape of the fruits and vegetables 100 is measured by the measuring device 6, and the measurement data is sent to the arithmetic processing device 7, and is compared with preset class standard values to be classified. In combination with the grade signal, a signal for sorting by grade 1 is output to the corresponding discharge device 8 in synchronization with the progress of the tray 1.

When the sorting device 8 to which the tray l conveyed on the sorting conveyor 4 reaches the discharge position, the sorting device 8 that is sent in synchronization with the movement of the tray 16 is activated by a signal to actuate the lever 81.
is activated and comes into contact with the guide roller 105 of the receiving tray 1, so that the fruits and vegetables 100 can be branched and discharged from the sorting conveyor 4 along with the receiving tray 1.

The trays 1 which are branched and discharged one after another onto the alignment switching rail 94 of the alignment storage device 9 are actuated by a control circuit (not shown) of a switching lever 95 and a slide device 96 so as to be arranged in a boxing pattern.

Next, when the trays 1 are aligned in a predetermined boxing arrangement on the alignment storage device 9, the boxing device 10 is activated to pick up the fruits and vegetables 100 from the trays 1 and place them on the empty boxes 1053 waiting at a predetermined position. Move horizontally and pack into boxes. During this movement, the slide cylinder 1011 operates to reduce the distance between the picked up fruits and vegetables 100.

The product boxer 064 that has finished packing the product is transferred to the product delivery device 1
060 and can be sent onto the product conveyor 1070.

On the other hand, the tray 1 which has been emptied by picking up the fruits and vegetables 100 by the boxing device 10 is tilted downward by the empty tray discharging device 11 and sent to the empty tray pooling device 12, and the timing is when the tray 1 that has been discharged earlier joins. It operates to pick up empty trays and send them onto the empty tray conveyor 1250.

The above description and the accompanying drawings are examples of implementation, and do not limit the invention.Of course, other shapes and arrangements may be applied as long as the content is described in the claims. It is.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention stores fruits and vegetables in randomly supplied trays provided with a grade display means, displays the grade of the fruits and vegetables, and transfers the fruits and vegetables at regular intervals while being conveyed together with the tray. Detecting the grade of each tray displayed by the grade display means during conveyance at regular intervals, outputting a grade signal of the fruit or vegetable, measuring one dimension of the fruit or vegetable's shape with a measuring device, grading it, and combining it with the grade signal. outputs a signal to the corresponding discharge device to perform branch discharge without having to transfer the trays, and when a predetermined number of discharged trays are arranged in a boxing pattern, the fruits and vegetables are picked up and automatically packed into empty cartons. The product is placed in a box and sent to the destination using a product conveyor. - On the other hand, empty tray discharging devices are operated one after another to discharge empty trays after being packed in boxes.

That is, according to the present invention, a tray on which fruits and vegetables are placed is supplied by a single supply conveyor, and the fruits and vegetables are sorted and sorted into equal-edge classes and conveyed to the boxing section while being placed on the tray. It is possible to automatically pack the products into boxes without having to remove them from the tray.

In addition, a grade display means is provided on the tray so that the grade of each tray can be read, so that no matter how the grading rate changes, a mixture of multiple grades can be fed to a single sorting conveyor for sorting. Although it does not reduce the efficiency of filling trays into the sorting conveyor, it reduces the installation space for sorting equipment and reduces equipment costs compared to facilities that conventionally have multiple strips.

Furthermore, in the sorting department, fruits and vegetables are moved and discharged in trays, then automatically arranged in a predetermined boxing arrangement, and then automatically packed into boxes using a boxing device that uses vacuum suction, which saves labor and streamlines the traditional boxing process. This has the effect of significantly improving productivity.

Furthermore, the grade of fruits and vegetables placed on the tray can be easily corrected by re-inspecting them by changing the display switch on the grade display means, so there is no need to lift the fruits and vegetables and change the transport path, which greatly reduces labor. In addition to being effective, it also prevents troubles (falling, etc.) during lifting and changing of fruits and vegetables.
This is effective in improving quality.

As described above, the apparatus of the present invention can sort fruits and vegetables that are not easily damaged even if they are rolled, as well as fruits and vegetables that cannot be transferred, and can also sort fruits and vegetables of multiple grades using -rows. The effects of the device of the present invention are extremely large, as it enables sorting, reduces installation space, streamlines boxing work, and makes it possible to sort a wide variety of items.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Each of the drawings shows an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall plan view of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the same,
Figures 3, 4, and 5 are all explanatory diagrams of the saucer of the present invention, Figure 6 is a plan view of the main parts of the alignment storage device, Figure 7 is a side view of the same, Figures 8 and 9 are supplying at regular intervals. An explanatory diagram of the main parts of the device, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the upper tray of the sorting conveyor, Fig. 11 is a plan view of the main parts of the discharge device, Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XX in Fig. 11, and Fig. 13 7 is a sectional view taken along Y-Y in FIG. 7, and FIG. 14 is a front view seen from the Z direction in FIG. FIG. 15 is a plan view of a conventional one-strip two-class sorting device. 1...Saucer 100...Fruits and vegetables 101.
...Supporting surface 102...Rating part 103...Grade display device 104...Display switch 105...
Guide roller 2...supply conveyor 21...supply section 22...
・Roller 23...Terminal part 3...Constant interval feeding device 31...Saucer stop device 32...High speed feed roller 33...Feed claw 4...Sorting conveyor 41...Frame 42・
...Slat-shaped Ujutan 43...Cheno 44...
Pushing member 5... Equal edge detection device 6... Measuring device 61... Sensor camera 62... Illumination device 7... Arithmetic processing device 8... Discharge device 81... Operating lever 82
... Support shaft 83 ... Bearing 84 ... Air cylinder 9 ... Alignment storage device 91 ... Roller 92 ...
・Frame 93... Accumulation rate conveyor 94... Alignment switching rail 95... Switching lever 96... Slide device 961... Pusher 9
62...Cylinder 97...End stopper 10...Boxing device fool...Frame 1
002...Moving table 1003...Guide roller 1004...Cylinder 1005...Piston Rondo 1006...Base 1007
...Slide guide 1008...Slide bearing
1009... Bar 1010... Slider 1011... Slide cylinder 1012... Pad 1013... Spring 1
014... Telescopic rod 1015... Cheno 1
016... Sprocket 1017... Motor 1051... Empty box supply conveyor 1052... Stop device 1053... Empty box 1
060...Product delivery device. 1061... Sprocket 1062... Cheno 1063... Axotimento 1064... Product box 1065... Stop switch 1070... Product conveyor 1071... Stop device 1072... Printing device 1080... Merging conveyor 11... Empty tray discharge device 1101... Frame 1102... Roller 1103... Support shaft 1104... Frame 1
105...Bearing 1106...Cylinder 12...Empty saucer pool device 1201...Stop device 1250...Empty saucer merging conveyor Fig. 3 f05 f0+ No. se 〆Procedural amendment April 21, 1999 Day

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A tray having a mounting part for placing fruits and vegetables on it and provided with a grade display means for displaying the grade of the fruits and vegetables; A conveying means for conveying the tray at irregular intervals forward and backward in the direction of travel; a sorting conveyor which is provided on the downstream side and which is provided with push members at regular intervals on a conveyor that runs and rotates endlessly, and which accommodates trays between the push members and conveys them at regular intervals; a grade detecting means for detecting the grade of the tray; a measuring means provided at a predetermined position of the sorting conveyor for measuring the size of fruits and vegetables; A calculation processing means that determines the class of fruits and vegetables on the saucer from the measured measurement signal and ranks them, processes them together with the above-mentioned grade signal, and outputs sorting signals for each grade and class; a sorting and discharging means that is operated in response to a sorting and discharging signal to sort and discharge the trays conveyed by the sorting conveyor according to grade and class; a storage means; a boxing means for picking up the fruits and vegetables on the trays stored in the alignment and storage means and packing them into empty boxes for packaging; and an empty tray discharging means for picking up the fruits and vegetables by the boxing means and discharging the empty trays. , an apparatus for sorting fruits and vegetables, comprising empty tray pooling means for temporarily pooling the empty trays discharged by each of the empty tray discharging means, and connecting the empty trays to the conveying means for conveying and supplying the empty trays. . (2) The fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tray feeding means for supplying trays at regular intervals at a connecting portion between the conveying means and the sorting conveyor. (3) The fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grade detection means is provided to detect when the tray is being conveyed by a sorting conveyor. (4) The fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the boxing means is configured to pick up the fruits and vegetables when a predetermined number of trays are lined up in a predetermined array on the arranging and storing means. (5) The fruit and vegetable sorting device according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the fruit and vegetable sorting means arranges and stores the fruits and vegetables in the same arrangement as the arrangement in the box.